Rancho Cordova · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in Rancho Cordova?
In Rancho Cordova, a child care center is allowed in 3 base zones (RMU, VC and GC), needs a permit in 27 (AG-80, AG-20, RR, ER, RD-1 and 22 more, 3 with a condition) and not allowed in 3 (Rancho Cordova use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: RMU, VC and GC
- Needs a permit: AG-80, AG-20, RR, ER, RD-1, RD-2, RD-3, RD-4 and 19 more
- Not allowed: M-2, POS and T
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Rancho Cordova Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where a child care center can go
Rancho Cordova's code calls this use “Child Day Care Facility”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| RMU | Allowed | § 23.313.030 |
| VC | Allowed | § 23.313.030 |
| GC | Allowed | § 23.316.030 |
| AG-80 | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.307.030 |
| AG-20 | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.307.030 |
| RR | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| ER | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-1 | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-2 | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-3 | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-4 | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-5 | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-6 | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-7 | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-10 | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-15 | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-20 | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-25 | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-30 | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| MDR | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| HDR | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RMH | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| CMU | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.313.030 |
| OPMU | Needs an administrative use permit — see note Note 2: This use is permitted or permitted with a use permit as specified only in conjunction with the predominant use of the mixed-use district. In other words, this use is only allowed as part of an integrated development and not as a standalone use. Other uses in the table are allowed as standalone uses. | § 23.313.030 |
| OIMU | Needs an administrative use permit — see note Note 2: This use is permitted or permitted with a use permit as specified only in conjunction with the predominant use of the mixed-use district. In other words, this use is only allowed as part of an integrated development and not as a standalone use. Other uses in the table are allowed as standalone uses. | § 23.313.030 |
| LIBP | Needs an administrative use permit — see note Note 2: This use is permitted or permitted with a use permit as specified only in conjunction with the predominant use of the mixed-use district. In other words, this use is only allowed as part of an integrated development and not as a standalone use. Other uses in the table are allowed as standalone uses. | § 23.313.030 |
| LTC | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.313.030 |
| RTC | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.313.030 |
| M-1 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.316.030 |
| CS | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.319.030 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- "Family Day Care Home, Small/Large" and "Adult Day Care Facility" are separate rows.
- State law: A licensed family child care home in a house is a residential use under state law (Health and Safety Code § 1597.45); this page covers child care centers only.
- Not covered here: Zone names are not stated in the packet text (Article 3 is repealed in the stored text). AUP: an administrative use permit may only be used for CEQA-exempt projects; otherwise a conditional use permit is required (S2 B). Special/overlay districts (specific plans, planned developments) have no table in the text.. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Rancho Cordova
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the AG-80 zone in Rancho Cordova?
Only with an administrative use permit. Rancho Cordova's use table lists it that way in AG-80 (§ 23.307.030).
Can I have a child care center in the M-2 zone in Rancho Cordova?
No. Rancho Cordova's use table does not allow it in M-2 (§ 23.316.030).
Can I have a child care center in the RMU zone in Rancho Cordova?
Yes. Rancho Cordova's use table lists it as allowed in RMU (§ 23.313.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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